For the background to this site, please see About.
For Today...
'Sing And shout for joy, Alleluia'
Simple but well-written all-age song of praise from Bernadette Farrell.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwdvoZZHTRM - album recording.(18/11/2025)
Recent links
'O Lord our God, how majestic is Your name (We will magnify)'
The most well known of the songs of the slightly quirky, very interesting and talented Philip Lawton Johnston. It works well for me as an upbeat stomper.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgH-xcenKkA - laid back, but well done.(17/11/2025)
'All People that on Earth do Dwell'
Grand and stately Psalm 100, sung to 'Old Hundredth'.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=us2O62TTqYA - the Vaughan Williams arrangement, with its wonderful harmonic twists. (I have my own organ last verse arrangement for this, harmonies less wonderful but more riotous.)(16/11/2025)
'Will You Come And Follow Me'
Deservedly well-known hymn from Bell and Maule, sung to Kelvingrove in compound time (though whenever I've heard it in Scotland, it's been played in simple time, as with the folk song).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=o469PRLdbHU - album recording, nicely done, with a bit of a musical twist.(15/11/2025)
'Lord of Life, we come to you'
A lovely and useful short song, sung to the Eriskay Love Lilt.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE-BUrIyQ-g - short! Normally, in worship, you'd repeat it, mixed with prayers.(14/11/2025)
'God is our strength and refuge'
Eric Coates' stirring tune works well with these words, provided you can separate it from its original purpose. I prefer strictly versified use of the tune to help with that, although I did play it in full once, for the funeral of someone who had served in the RAF.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCJ78TzBJPg - a lockdown recording - organ and soprano - done in a traditional church way.(13/11/2025)
'Sing of the Lord's Goodness'
Great song - makes a lively opener.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9fsAKZHq-w - by Jazz Church.www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzTXl_jA-XQ - a remotely recorded and nicely produced 'lockdown' version, from Sutton Coldfield Baptist Church.
(12/11/2025)
'Eternal Father, strong to save'
Traditional, stirring, hymn for occasions of Remembrance, sung to Melita, a fine tune from J B Dykes.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cHPSFFa5cU - from Wells Cathedral choir(11/11/2025)
'Standing at the cross'
A great song from Pete James, which became regularly used in our church. I prefer to base it around acoustic guitar, and keep it simple.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRReWsctUA4 - from "Worship Anthems 2012" - the only recording I can find online!(10/11/2025)
'O God our help in ages past'
90th Psalm paraphrase, rarely used beyond services of Remembrance now.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjdmLstpNGE - Songs of Praise - the full 5 verses and a nice descant.(09/11/2025)
'Dear Lord and Father of mankind'
Whittier's much-loved hymn... sung to Parry's wonderful tune Repton... with a last verse that sometimes used to get me into contortions on the organ, with that massive crescendo and quiet last line. Not what Whittier had in mind, but hey.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk7SX3r59sc - from the Choir of the Abbey School, Tewkesbury. Just five verses.(08/11/2025)
'Now thank we all our God'
A great hymn of praise and thanksgiving.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGMuJ4U7zT8 - Lincoln Minster School choir, with beautiful phrasing.(07/11/2025)
'A Sovereign Protector I Have'
A fine hymn from 18th century writer Augustus M Toplady (he of 'Rock of Ages'), modernised (slightly) and sung to the gut-stirringly wonderful and beautifully harmonised Welsh tune 'Trewen'.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ONBRS1683I - Metropolitan Tabernacle, London - 3 verse version (we have just the first and last).(06/11/2025)
'We're going to shine like the sun in the Kingdom of Heaven'
A lively upbeat song to end a service with. My inclination is to drive this one along on the guitar.
vimeo.com/436403592 - - solo piano and voice, courtesy of Stephen Bloxham.(05/11/2025)
'O Sing to the Lord, O Sing God a New Song'
A four-liner from Brazil, which we sing in English. Works well on guitar.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2kgCbhljOA - on piano and with a lot of extra verses.(04/11/2025)
'Be still, for the presence of the Lord'
A very popular, top-drawer 'modern' hymn. Like all the best ones, the opportunities for improvising harmonies and riffs are endless.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZugvUQ4m90U - with a piano-led band.www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5S_-zhHfDA - an organ-led rendering - (not always a good idea with modern songs, but this one works) - from Songs of Praise. The verse intro/links have a hint of Geoffrey Beaumont in their inspiration?
(03/11/2025)
'For all the saints'
Along hymn, which makes it a good processional. Useful for All Saints' Day and other occasions.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_UvXe-of-s - an 8 verse rendering from the choir of St Edmundsbury cathedral.www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQSLwJtkUd0 - a 6 verse version: congregational singing from Sunnydale, California.
(02/11/2025)
'Jesus, remember me'
www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6tVReXsioM - an engaging arrangement of this song.(01/11/2025)
'My Jesus, My Saviour'
A very popular Hillsong classic, not to be lost because it's been overused in the past. Tempting to take it 2-speed:- slower 1st half with piano, quicker for the 2nd half... and add the Hammond.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGmZcTCXjmM - a simple version, without the customary extended ending... and rare instance of a recording which I think feels a wee bit too fast.(31/10/2025)
'Soon and very soon'
This song needs singing in the style Andre Crouch wrote it.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxarZBxK0iQ - gospel rendering, with a few additions that don't appear in the average hymnbook.(30/10/2025)
'I cannot tell how He whom angels worship'
Well-crafted hymn, one of those which goes from birth to second coming - set to the beautiful Londonderry Air.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=62wk5KvI7-w - a Songs of Praise recording - lovely, but only the first two verses.www.youtube.com/watch?v=zItma-BlmM8 - Salisbury Cathedral choir, with all four verses.
(29/10/2025)
There is an RSS feed for today's song
